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Eight Buffalo Bills Draft Picks On The Bubble

July 27, 2012; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Alex Carrington (92) during a training camp practice at St. John Fisher College.   Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-US PRESSWIRE
July 27, 2012; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Alex Carrington (92) during a training camp practice at St. John Fisher College. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-US PRESSWIRE

In three years with GM Buddy Nix and head coach Chan Gailey overseeing the football operation, the Buffalo Bills have drafted 27 players. Nearly a third (eight) of them are squarely on the roster bubble heading into tomorrow's pre-season finale against the Detroit Lions. Let's name names:

2010, Round 3, Pick 72: Alex Carrington, Arkansas State. The former college defensive end was tried first as a 3-4 end in Buffalo, and has spent this summer playing 4-3 defensive tackle. Carrington isn't much different from what he was as an incoming rookie: a big, strong defensive lineman in need of refinement. He's been buried on the third-team defense all summer, and may only make the team if finances are factored into the equation - particularly with regards to Dwan Edwards.

2010, Round 4, Pick 107: Marcus Easley, Connecticut. Coming off of two straight seasons on IR, Easley has again shown flashes of promise in camp practices, but has been a complete non-factor in exhibition games. With other receivers performing at a higher level, it may take a practice squad invite to keep Easley in Buffalo.

2011, Round 5, Pick 133: Johnny White, North Carolina. Drafted more for his upside as a runner and his special teams abilities than his collegiate production as a tailback, White has had his chance to compete for a roster spot derailed by an ankle injury - and has been pretty bland when he's gotten into the action. Meanwhile, veteran Tashard Choice has gotten better with each week.

2012, Round 5, Pick 144: Zebrie Sanders, Florida State. The rookie swing tackle has made strides during pre-season play, notably cutting down on a number of penalties he committed during camp practices. There's enough upside with Sanders that he seems like a pretty safe bet to make the team, but he should not be expected to suit up as a rookie.

2012, Round 5, Pick 147: Tank Carder, TCU. After a hot start to training camp, Carder has sort of fallen off the radar a bit, getting only cursory late-game action and even missing out on reps with the top special teams units. His fate seems tied to the fate of the next man on our list.

2011, Round 6, Pick 169: Chris White, Mississippi State. Unlike Carder, White has been covering with the first-unit special teams coverage groups - at least, that was the case against Pittsburgh - and, frankly, has looked pretty good doing it. Carder may have the better upside thanks to superior coverage instincts, but if anyone is going to steal a spot from Carder, it'll be White.

2012, Round 6, Pick 178: Mark Asper, Oregon. Asper has come on a bit of late after a brutal start to the pre-season, and has been working with the second-team offense at left guard. If the Bills keep a fifth interior lineman, it'll be either him or Colin Brown - but neither will make the team if the Bills have to keep a fifth tackle in light of the Erik Pears injury situation. If Asper doesn't make the team, he seems like a strong bet for the practice squad.

2012, Round 7, Pick 251: John Potter, Western Michigan. Potter might not ever be considered a lock for the final roster unless he becomes the full-time kicker. That said, he's performed his duties very well this pre-season, and can clearly kick the seams off of a football. He seems like a very safe bet for the 53-man roster at this point.

Out of this list, how many players do you expect to make the team, Bills fans?